Episode 189: The Music Cue Sheet – A Conversation with Jeff Kurtenacker

Christian and Jason do a deep dive into “the dreaded cue sheet” with Jeff Kurtenacker.

What is a music cue sheet and why is it important for your film? The benefits outweigh the costs. It is more than just a tracking document!

It’s a sheet that you submit, it requires assigning a name for every piece of music in a film and adding timecodes where each piece of music starts and ends. A composer is acknowledged, and many rights are associated with it, like for some, who’s names are attached to a publisher, the profits go to the performing rights organization such as ASCAP, BMI, or CSAC, etc. will collect royalties of performances or showings of this film on your behalf.

No matter if the score is only instrumental or has lyrics, musicians are supposed to be paid upfront in addition to royalties anytime anywhere it is used.

Jeff & Christian share their experiences learning this element of the music business.

If you are a producer or director, think twice about the music you’re using in your film.

Breakdown:
0:00 – Introductions and set up about the music cue sheet and its function

9:18 – Who does the tracking for royalties, the organizations. Who is ASCA & BMI and their functionality

12:03 – What does it look like for Jeff as the composer and publisher

13:19 – Christian share her perspective as the filmmaker and uses the example of TGWWF and how it works with “managed rights”

19:30 – Jeff & Christian unpack more about music rights and “public domain”

23:19 – Jeff re-iterates the need to protect the integrity of the work as it was intended to be used.

26:50 – Christian shares the story The Go-Go’s and the reason they split up as it relates top royalties and music rights.

32:54 – Budgets for music rights in film, TV, and social media

36:47 – Is the music crucial to the story-telling? This impacts the decision to pay for the licensing & rights.

39:37 – Jeff gives a middle of the road option for music

41:05 – DocuView Déjà Vu

Christian:
Meltdown: Three Mile Island – NETFLIX, Docu-Series – 4 Episodes, 2hrs 52 mins total
IMDB link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19757508/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3

Jeff:
Chernobyl, Minis Series, HBO Max, 5 Episodes, 5hrs 30 mins total
IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Jason:
Podcast Episode recommendation – Show is 20000 Hertz – Episode on “The Price Is Right Theme song”
Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-price-is-right-yeah-yeah/id1171270672?i=1000453427580